LibGuides: Fake News & Fake Facts: Media Literacy Awareness: SOLUTIONS

The Importance of Truth

What are those who care about truth and democracy to do in this moment?

Choose your media sources wisely,
Compare and contrast media sources
Remember that some of the chaos and confusion is on purpose -- it's meant to mislead you so you to give up on truth.

“A people that can no longer believe anything … is deprived not only of the capacity to act but also of its capacity to think and to judge. And with such a people you can then do what you please.” - Hannah Arendt

Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers
The web is both the largest propaganda machine ever created and the most amazing fact-checking tool ever invented. Without fact-checking skills, propaganda will dominate. This book practical guide for the student fact-checker. It provides specific web-based techniques that can get you closer to the truth on the web more quickly. | OER Textbook by Mike Caufield.

What Does Fake News Do to Your Brain?

How to Spot Fake News

Infographic Text: Investigate the credibility of the source - Read beyond the headlines - Check the author's credentials - Is there a list of sources? - Is the article current and relevant or old and dated? Does the information seem like a joke or satire or is it real? - Check personal biases to see if it affects your judgment. - Do your own fact-checking or consult a librarian.

Fight Fake News

Fight Fake News
Use the links in this website to learn how to read, watch, and listen to the news, wrap your brain around politics, how algorithms work to spread fake news, conspiracy videos, spot deepfake videos and more.

Fact Checking Resources

Why Fact-Checking?
When you find a source of information, how do you know if it’s true? How can you be sure that it is a reliable, trustworthy, and effective piece of evidence for your research? This chapter will introduce you to a set of strategies to quickly and effectively verify your sources, based on the approach taken by professional fact-checkers. Fact-checking is a form of information hygiene—it can minimize your own susceptibility to misinformation and disinformation, and help you to avoid spreading it to others.
Fact-Checking Images and Memes
Often, claims or stories will come to you in the form of images and memes. How do you know if images have been digitally altered (Photoshopped) or if they are being shared out of context (misrepresented)?
FactCheck.org
We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center. Also includes SciCheck for science claims.
FlackCheck.org
This site provides resources designed to help viewers recognize flaws in arguments in general and political ads in particular. Video resources point out deception and incivility in political rhetoric. FlackCheck.org is funded by an endowment provided by the Annenberg Foundation to support the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics.

Image Source: "Fake News." LibGuide, Indiana University East Campus Library. Accessed June 6, 2022.